Text

Federal Register Notice on License Renewal Application; Opportunity to Request a Hearing and to Petition for Leave to Intervene; Order on U.S. Geological Survey Triga Research Reactor
	ML15313A309
Person / Time
Site:	U.S. Geological Survey
Issue date:	02/01/2016
From:	Vietti-Cook A L; NRC/SECY
To:	;
	Wertz G A
Shared Package
ML15313A305	List: ML15313A308; ML15313A309; NRC-2015-0284, Federal Register Notice on License Renewal Application; Opportunity to Request a Hearing and to Petition for Leave to Intervene; Order on U.S. Geological Survey Triga Research Reactor;
References
	NRC-2015-0284
	Download: ML15313A309 (18)
	v • d • e

[7590-01-P]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 50-274; NRC-2015-0284] United States Geological Survey, TRIGA Research Reactor AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: License renewal application; docketing; opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene; order.

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an application for the renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-113, which authorizes the United States Geological Survey (USGS or the licensee) to operate the USGS Training, Research, Isotope Production, General Atomics (TRIGA) Research Reactor (GSTR) at a maximum steady-state thermal power of 1.0 megawatts (MW). The GSTR is a TRIGA-fueled research reactor located at the Denver Federal Center, in Lakewood, Colorado. If approved, the renewed license would authorize the licensee to operate the GSTR up to a steady-state thermal power of 1.0 MW for an additional 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed license.

DATES: A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must be filed by April 5, 2016. Any potential party as defined in § 2.4 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), who believes access to sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI) is necessary to respond to this notice must request document access by February 16, 2016.

2 ADDRESSES:

Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-0284 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this document using any of the following methods:

Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2015-0284. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-3463; e-mail:

Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.

NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS):

You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select "

ADAMS Public Documents" and then select "Begin Web-based ADAMS Search." For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. For the convenience of the reader, the ADAMS accession numbers are provided in a table in the "Availability of Documents" section of this document.

NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geoffrey Wertz, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone:

301-415-0893; e-mail: Geoffrey.Wertz@nrc.gov.

3 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction The NRC is considering an application for the renewal of Facility Operating License No.

R-113, which authorizes the licensee to operate the GSTR at a maximum steady-state thermal power of 1.0 MW. The renewed license would authorize the licensee to operate the GSTR up to a steady-state thermal power of 1.0 MW for an additional 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed license. By letter dated January 5, 2009, and as supplemented by various letters referenced in Section IV, "Availability of Documents," of th is document, the NRC received an application from the licensee filed pursuant to 10 CFR 50.51(a) to renew Facility Operating License No. R-113 for the GSTR. The application contains SUNSI. Based on its initial review of the application, the NRC staff determined that the licensee submitted sufficient information in accordance with 10 CFR 50.33 and 50.34 so that the application is acceptable for docketing. The current Docket No. 50-274 for Facility Operating License No. R-113 will be retained. The docketing of the renewal application does not preclude requests for additional information as the review proceeds, nor does it predict whether the Commission will grant or deny the application. Prior to a decision to renew the license, the Commission will make findings required by t he Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations.

4 II. Opportunity to Request a Hearing and Petition for Leave to Intervene Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any person(s) whose interest may be affected by this action may file a request for a hearing and a petition to intervene with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facility operating license or combined license. Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's "Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure" in 10 CFR part 2. Interested person(s) should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.309, "Hearing requests, petitions to intervene, requirements for standing, and contentions," which is available at the NRC's PDR, located in One White Flint North, Room O1-F21 (first floor), 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The NRC's regulations are accessible electronically from the NRC Library on the NRC's Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. If a request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed within 60 days, the Commission or a presiding officer designated by the Commission or by the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel will rule on the request and/or petition. The Secretary or the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of hearing or an appropriate order. As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in the proceeding and how that interest may be affected by the results of the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted, with particular reference to the following general requirements: (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the requestor or petitioner; (2) the nature of the requestor's/petitioner's right under the Act to be made a party to the proceeding; (3) the nature and extent of the requestor's/petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; 5 and (4) the possible effect of any decision or order which may be entered in the proceeding on the requestor's/petitioner's interest. The petition must also set forth the specific contentions which the requestor/petitioner seeks to have litigated at the proceeding. Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the requestor/petitioner shall provide a brief explanation of the bases for the contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion that support the contention and on which the requestor/petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. The requestor/petitioner must also provide references to those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is aware and on which the requestor/petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert opinion. The petition must include sufficient information to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of the license renewal under consideration. The contention must be one which, if proven, would entitle the requestor/petitioner to relief. A requestor/petitioner who fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party. Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the hearing with respect to resolution of that person's admitted contentions, including the opportunity to present evidence and to submit a cross-examination plan for cross-examination of witnesses, consistent with NRC regulations, policies, and procedures. The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will set the time and place for any prehearing conferences and evidentiary hearings, and the appropriate notices will be provided. Petitions for leave to intervene must be filed no later than 60 days from the date of publication of this notice. Requests for hearing, petitions for leave to intervene, and motions for 6 leave to file new or amended contentions that are filed after the 60-day deadline will not be entertained absent a determination by the presiding officer that the filing demonstrates good cause by satisfying the three factors in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i)-(iii). A State, local governmental body, Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, or agency thereof, may submit a petition to the Commission to participate as a party under 10 CFR 2.309(h)(1). The petition should state the nature and extent of the petitioner's interest in the proceeding.

The petition should be submitted to the Commission by April 5, 2016. The petition must be filed in accordance with the filing instructions in the "Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)" section of this document, and should meet the requirements for petitions for leave to intervene set forth in this section, except that under 10 CFR 2.309(h)(2) a State, local governmental body, or Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, or agency thereof does not need to address the standing requirements in 10 CFR 2.309(d) if the facility is located within its boundaries. A State, local governmental body, Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, or agenc y thereof may also have the opportunity to participate under 10 CFR 2.315(c). If a hearing is granted, any person who does not wish, or is not qualified, to become a party to the proceeding may, in the discretion of the presiding officer, be permitted to make a limited appearance pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 2.315(a). A person making a limited appearance may make an oral or written statement of position on the issues, but may not otherwise participate in the proceeding. A limited appearance may be made at any session of the hearing or at any prehearing conference, subject to the limits and conditions as may be imposed by the presiding officer. Persons desiring to make a limited appearance are requested to inform the Secretary of the Commission by April 5, 2016.

7 III. Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)

All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or other document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a request for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by interested governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in accordance with the NRC's E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007). The E-Filing process requires participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Participants may not submit paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in accordance with the procedures described below. To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the Office of the Secretary by e-mail at Hearing.Docket@nrc.gov, or by telephone at 301-415-1677, to request (1) a digital identification (ID) certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or representative) to digitally sign documents and access the E-Submittal server for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a request or petition for hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC-issued digital ID certificate). Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish an electronic docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the Secretary has not already established an electronic docket.

Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is available on the NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html. System requirements for accessing the E-Submittal server are det ailed in the NRC's "Guidance for Electronic Submission," which is available on the agency's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-8 help/e-submittals.html. Participants may attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but should note that the NRC's E-Filing system does not support unlisted software, and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer assistance in using unlisted software.

If a participant is electronically submitting a document to the NRC in accordance with the E-Filing rule, the participant must file the document using the NRC's online, Web-based submission form. In order to serve documents through the Electronic Information Exchange System, users will be required to install a W eb browser plug-in from the NRC's Web site. Further information on the Web-based submission form, including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on the NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene. Submissions should be in Portable Document Format in accordance with NRC guidance available on the NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the time the documents are submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Upon receipt of a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends the submitter an e-mail notice confirming receipt of the document. The E-Filing system also distributes an e-mail notice that provides access to the document to the NRC's Office of the General Counsel and any others who have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the documents on those participants separately. Therefore, applicants and other participants (or their counsel or represent ative) must apply for and receive a digital ID 9 certificate before a hearing request/petition to intervene is filed so that they can obtain access to the document via the E-Filing system. A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System Help Desk through the "Contact Us" link located on the NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-hel p/e-submittals.html , by e-mail to MSHD.Resource@nrc.gov, or by a toll-free call at 1-866-672-7640. The NRC Meta System Help Desk is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper format.

Such filings must be submitted by: (1) first class mail addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Participants filing a document in this manner are responsible for serving the document on all other participants. Filing is considered complete by first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing the document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, having granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from use of E-Filing no longer exists.

10 Documents submitted in adjudicatory proc eedings will appear in the NRC's electronic hearing docket which is available to the public at http://ehd1.nrc.gov/ehd/, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the Commission, or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC regulation or other law requires submission of such information. However, in some instances, a request to intervene will require including information on local residence in order to demonstrate a proximity assertion of interest in the proceeding. With respect to copyrighted works, except for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory filings and would constitute a Fair Use application, participants are requested not to include copyrighted materials in their submission.

IV. Availability of Documents Documents related to this action, including the license renewal application and other supporting documentation are available to interested persons as indicated. Document ADAMS Accession No. NUREG-1537, "Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors," Part 1, "Format and Content,"

February 1996 ML042430055 NUREG-1537, Part 2, "Standard Review Plan and Acceptance Criteria,"

February 1996 ML042430048 "United States Geological Survey - 'Redacted' Revised Safety Analysis Report [SAR], Technical Specifications, and Environmental Report to

Support License Renewal (ME1593)," January 5, 2009 ML092120136 "US Geological Survey TRIGA Reacto r Response to the RAI [Request for Additional Information] Concerning R-113 License Renewal," November 24, 2010 ML103340090 "Response to Letter of February 1, 2011, Concerning R-113 License ML110480046 11 Renewal," February 11, 2011 "Response to Questions 23.1, 23.2, and 23.3 of the Referenced RAI,"

March 28, 2011 ML110950059 "U.S. Geological Survey - Response to Questions 22.1, 22,2, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, and 25.6 of the Referenced RAI," May 12, 2011 ML11138A027 "U.S. Geological Survey, Response to Request for Additional Information for Questions 17.1 and 17.2," June 29, 2011 ML11181A305 "Response to Question 2 of the Referenced RAI," July 27, 2011 ML11214A091 "Response to Question 1 of the Referenced RAI," August 30, 2011 (package)

ML112500522 "Response to Request for Additional Information to Question 20 of September 29, 2010," September 26, 2011 ML11277A013 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) Response to Question 6 of the Referenced RAI," October 31, 2011 ML11314A106 "U.S. Geological Survey - *Redacted* Licensee Response to NRC Request for Additional Information Questions 7 and 8 Re: License Renewal (TAC No. ME1593)," November 30, 2011 ML113460014 "U.S. Geological Survey - *Redacted* Licensee Response to NRC Request for Additional Information Question 15.3 (ME1593)," January 3, 2012 ML120240003 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor - Response to Question 15.2 of the Request for Additional Information (RAI) dated September 29, 2010,"

January 27, 2012 ML12068A138 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) - Response to Question 18 of a Request for Additional Information dated September 29, 2010,"

January 27, 2012 ML12039A173 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor, Response to Request for Additional Information to Question 14," March 28, 2012 ML12100A097 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) - Response to Question 16 of the Referenced RAI," April 27, 2012 ML12128A429 "U.S. Geological Survey, Responses to Questions 26 and 27 of the Referenced RAI," May 18, 2012 ML12151A407 "U.S. Geological Survey - Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI) Question 14," May 31, 2012 ML12160A064 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) - Response to Question 3 of the Referenced RAI," June 29, 2012 ML12200A055 "U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor - Response to Question 21 of the Referenced RAI dated September 29, 2010," July 31, 2012 ML12220A525 "Responses are Provided to Questions 9, 10, 11, 12, 15.1, 23.4, 24, and ML12251A231 12 25.5; Along with a Corrected Copy of the Proposed Technical Specifications (Chapter 14) of the SAR," August 30, 2012 "U.S. Geological Survey - *Redacted* Response to NRC Request for Additional Information dated October 2, 2012 (TAC No. ME1593),"

November 16, 2012 ML12334A001 "U.S. Geological Survey - *Redacted* - Responses to NRC Request for Additional Information dated October 2, 2012 and Telephone Conference

dated December 20, 2012," February 8, 2013 ML13052A179 "Redacted - USGS RAI Clarification Information Needed to Support the USGS License Renewal SAR (TAC No. ME1593)," May 17, 2013 ML13162A662 "Follow-up Safety Analysis Responses from letter dated July 15, 2013,"

October 31, 2013 ML13311A047 "Redacted Version - U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor Request for Additional Information Responses to RAI Questions 15.3 and 28," November 24, 2014 ML14338A196 "Revision of Proposed Technical Specifications," September 8, 2015 ML15261A042 Portions of the license renewal application and its supporting documents contain SUNSI. These portions will not be available to the public. Any person requesting access to SUNSI must follow the procedures described in the Order below.

Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information for Contention Preparation A. This Order contains instructions regarding how potential parties to this proceeding may request access to documents containing SUNSI. B. Within 10 days after publication of this notice of hearing and opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, any potential party who believes access to SUNSI is necessary to respond to this notice may request such access. A "potential party" is any person who intends to participate as a party by demonstrating standing and filing an admissible contention under 13 10 CFR 2.309. Requests for access to SUNSI submitted later than 10 days after publication of this notice will not be considered absent a showing of good cause for the late filing, addressing why the request could not have been filed earlier. C. The requester shall submit a letter requesting permission to access SUNSI to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, and provide a copy to the Associate General Counsel for Hearings, Enforcement and Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The expedited delivery or courier mail address for both offices is: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The e-mail address for the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the General Counsel are Hearing.Docket@nrc.gov and OGCmailcenter@nrc.gov , respectively.

1 The request must include the following information: (1) A description of the licensing action with a citation to this Federal Register notice; (2) The name and address of the potential party and a description of the potential party's particularized interest that could be harmed by the action identified in C.(1); and (3) The identity of the individual or entity requesting access to SUNSI and the requester's basis for the need for the information in order to meaningfully participate in this adjudicatory proceeding. In particular, the request must explain why publicly-available versions of the information requested would not be sufficient to provide the basis and specificity for a proffered contention. D. Based on an evaluation of the information submitted under paragraph C.(3) the NRC staff will determine within 10 days of receipt of the request whether:

1 While a request for hearing or petition to intervene in this proceeding must comply with the filing requirements of the NRC's "E-Filing Rule," the initial request to access SUNSI under these procedures should be submitted as described in this paragraph.

14 (1) There is a reasonable basis to believe the petitioner is likely to establish standing to participate in this NRC proceeding; and (2) The requestor has established a legitimate need for access to SUNSI.

E. If the NRC staff determines that the requestor satisfies both D.(1) and D.(2) above, the NRC staff will notify the requestor in writing that access to SUNSI has been granted. The written notification will contain instructions on how the requestor may obtain copies of the requested documents, and any other conditions that may apply to access to those documents. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or Protective Order 2 setting forth terms and conditions to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of SUNSI by each individual who will be granted access to SUNSI. F. Filing of Contentions. Any contentions in these proceedings that are based upon the information received as a result of the request made for SUNSI must be filed by the requestor no later than 25 days after the requestor is granted access to that information. However, if more than 25 days remain between the date the petitioner is granted access to the information and the deadline for filing all other contentions (as established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing), the petitioner may file its SUNSI contentions by that later deadline. This provision does not extend the time for filing a request for a hearing and petition to intervene, which must comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 2.309. G. Review of Denials of Access. (1) If the request for access to SUNSI is denied by the NRC staff after a determination on standing and need for access, the NRC staff shall immediately notify the requestor in writing, briefly stating the reason or reasons for the denial.

2 Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure Affidavit or Agreement for SUNSI must be filed with the presiding officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer has not yet been designated, within 30 days of the deadline for the receipt of the written access request.

15 (2) The requester may challenge the NRC staff's adverse determination by filing a challenge within 5 days of receipt of that determination with: (a) the presiding officer designated in this proceeding; (b) if no presiding officer has been appointed, the Chief Administrative Judge, or if he or she is unavailable, another administrative judge, or an administrative law judge with jurisdiction pursuant to 10 CFR 2.318(a); or (c) officer if that officer has been designated to rule on information access issues. H. Review of Grants of Access. A party other than the requester may challenge an NRC staff determination granting access to SUNSI whose release would harm that party's interest independent of the proceeding. Such a challenge must be filed with the Chief Administrative Judge within 5 days of the notification by the NRC staff of its grant of access. If challenges to the NRC staff determinations are filed, these procedures give way to the normal process for litigating disputes concerning access to information. The availability of interlocutory review by the Commission of orders ruling on such NRC staff determinations (whether granting or denying access) is governed by 10 CFR 2.311.

3 3 Requesters should note that the filing requirements of the NRC's E-Filing Rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007) apply to appeals of NRC staff determinations (because they must be served on a presiding officer or the Commission, as applicable), but not to the initial SUNSI request submitted to the NRC staff under these procedures.

16 I. The Commission expects that the NRC staff and presiding officers (and any other reviewing officers) will consider and resolve requests for access to SUNSI, and motions for protective orders, in a timely fashion in order to minimize any unnecessary delays in identifying those petitioners who have standing and who have propounded contentions meeting the specificity and basis requirements in 10 CFR part 2. Attachment 1 to the Order summarizes the general target schedule for processing and resolving requests under these procedures. IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 1st day of February, 2016.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

/RA/ Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary of the Commission.

17 ATTACHMENT 1--General Target Schedule for Processing and Resolving Requests for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information in this Proceeding

Day Event/Activity 0 Publication of Federal Register notice of hearing and opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, including order with instructions for access requests.

10 Deadline for submitting requests for access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) with information: supporting the standing of a potential party identified by name and address; describing the need for the information in order for the potential party to participate meaningfully in an adjudicatory proceeding.

60 Deadline for submitting petition for intervention containing: (i) demonstration of standing; and (ii) all contentions whose formulation does not require access to SUNSI (+25 Answers to petition for intervention; +7 petitioner/requestor reply).

20 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff informs the requester of the staff's determination whether the request for access provides a reasonable basis to believe standing can be established and shows need for SUNSI. (NRC staff also informs any party to the proceeding whose interest independent of the proceeding would be harmed by the release of the

information). If NRC staff makes the finding of need for SUNSI and likelihood of standing, NRC staff begins document processing (preparation of redactions or review of redacted documents).

25 If NRC staff finds no "need" or no likelihood of standing, the deadline for petitioner/requester to file a motion seeking a ruling to reverse the NRC staff's denial of access; NRC staff files copy of access determination with the presiding officer (or Chief Administrative Judge or other designated officer, as appropriate). If NRC staff finds "need" for SUNSI, the deadline for any party to the proceeding whose interest independent of the proceeding would be harmed by the release of the information to file a motion seeking a ruling to

reverse the NRC staff's grant of access.

30 Deadline for NRC staff reply to motions to reverse NRC staff determination(s).

40 (Receipt +30) If NRC staff finds standing and need for SUNSI, deadline for NRC staff to complete information proce ssing and file motion for Protective Order and draft Non-Disclosure Affidavit. Deadline for applicant/licensee to file Non-Disclosure Agreement for SUNSI.

18 Day Event/Activity A If access granted: issuance of presiding officer or other designated officer decision on motion for protective order for access to sensitive information (including schedule for providing access and submission of contentions) or decision reversing a final adverse determination by the NRC staff.

A + 3 Deadline for filing executed Non-Disclosure Affidavits. Access provided to SUNSI consistent with decision issuing the protective order.

A + 28 Deadline for submission of contentions whose development depends upon access to SUNSI. However, if more than 25 days remain between the petitioner's receipt of (or access to) the information and the deadline for filing all other contentions (as established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing), the petitioner may file its SUNSI contentions by that later deadline.

A + 53 (Contention receipt +25) Answers to contentions whose development depends upon access to SUNSI.

A + 60 (Answer receipt +7) Petitioner/Intervenor reply to answers.

>A + 60 Decision on contention admission.

[7590-01-P]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 50-274; NRC-2015-0284] United States Geological Survey, TRIGA Research Reactor AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: License renewal application; docketing; opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene; order.

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an application for the renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-113, which authorizes the United States Geological Survey (USGS or the licensee) to operate the USGS Training, Research, Isotope Production, General Atomics (TRIGA) Research Reactor (GSTR) at a maximum steady-state thermal power of 1.0 megawatts (MW). The GSTR is a TRIGA-fueled research reactor located at the Denver Federal Center, in Lakewood, Colorado. If approved, the renewed license would authorize the licensee to operate the GSTR up to a steady-state thermal power of 1.0 MW for an additional 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed license.

DATES: A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must be filed by April 5, 2016. Any potential party as defined in § 2.4 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), who believes access to sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI) is necessary to respond to this notice must request document access by February 16, 2016.

2 ADDRESSES:

Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-0284 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this document using any of the following methods:

Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2015-0284. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-3463; e-mail:

Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.

NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS):

You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select "

ADAMS Public Documents" and then select "Begin Web-based ADAMS Search." For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. For the convenience of the reader, the ADAMS accession numbers are provided in a table in the "Availability of Documents" section of this document.

NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geoffrey Wertz, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: